US and Israel prepare major bombing campaign against Iran's energy infrastructure as tensions escalate
The United States and Israel are planning strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure as soon as this weekend, targeting power plants and oil refineries, according to multiple sources. Iran has vowed a "comprehensive response" targeting both Israeli and US energy infrastructure in the region, escalating tensions in an ongoing conflict that began in February 2026.
Coordinated Cyberattack Hits Water Systems Across 7 States; Amgen Discloses Major Data Breach
Hackers have launched a coordinated cyberattack targeting water systems in at least seven U.S. states, prompting federal agencies to warn utilities nationwide and causing some systems to issue boil-water notices. Separately, drugmaker Amgen disclosed that a breach of third-party cloud storage systems exposed patient health data and proprietary information, with the incident classified as material on July 29.
NATO plans nuclear weapons expansion in Eastern Europe, considering deployments to Poland, Lithuania, and Finland
NATO is developing plans to expand its nuclear deterrent in Europe by potentially deploying additional U.S. nuclear weapons to Poland, Lithuania, and Finland in response to Russian threats. The plans focus on non-strategic B61-12 bombs and would represent a significant eastward shift from current deployments concentrated in Western Europe, with Finland planning to lift its decades-long ban on nuclear weapons on its territory.
Trump reverses pledge to license Patriot missile production for Ukraine, citing security concerns
President Trump walked back his earlier commitment to give Ukraine a license to produce Patriot air defense systems, stating during a Friday Cabinet meeting that the advanced technology is "a hard thing to give away" and could be turned against the U.S. This contradicts his public pledge at a NATO summit in July and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's account of their Tuesday White House meeting, where Zelenskyy said Trump agreed to provide the license.
Giannis Antetokounmpo traded to Miami Heat in NBA's biggest offseason deal
The Milwaukee Bucks traded 10-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in a major offseason blockbuster, with the Heat sending back All-Star Tyler Herro, draft picks, and other assets. Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and 2021 Finals MVP, requested the trade after 13 seasons in Milwaukee, ending his tenure with the franchise that won the 2021 championship.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day shatters preview record with $72M, on pace for historic opening weekend
Spider-Man: Brand New Day opened with a record-breaking $72 million in preview sales, surpassing Avengers: Endgame's previous record of $60 million. The film is projected to earn $330 million or more through its opening weekend, potentially making it the second-biggest debut of all time behind Endgame's $357 million.
EU AI Act's August 2 deadline brings transparency rules and GPAI enforcement; high-risk AI compliance pushed to late 2027
The EU AI Act reaches partial application on August 2, 2026, with transparency requirements and general-purpose AI enforcement going live as planned. However, high-risk AI system obligations—including audit trails and explainability mandates—have been delayed by 12 to 16 months due to slow member state implementation and unfinished harmonized standards.
Fossil analysis reveals 120-million-year-old pterosaur shimmered in iridescent greens and magentas
Researchers analyzing a 120-million-year-old fossil of the pterosaur Sinopterus dongi found evidence of iridescent coloration in preserved soft tissue, with computer simulations suggesting the creature displayed shimmering greens, blues, and magentas depending on viewing angle. The discovery marks the first evidence of iridescence in pterosaurs and suggests these flying reptiles had high metabolisms similar to modern birds, though some experts caution that 120 million years of burial may have altered the microscopic structures used in the analysis.